I-A WRESTLING: Pahrump’s Maughan fights off judo champ, helps Trojans to team crown

Pahrump Valley senior Scott Maughan knew going into his regional championship match that he was facing the No. 1-seeded wrestler from his weight class.

But it wasn’t until later that he found out he had also beaten an Italian national judo champion.

Maughan won a nail-biting 10-6 decision over Moapa Valley’s Francesco Branca on Saturday to help Pahrump claim the Division I-A Southern Region title at Mojave. The Trojans finished with 275 points, followed by Virgin Valley (189) and Boulder City (154).

“You could tell,” Maughan said. “I’ve never done judo, (but) I could tell he was really good. I guess it’s his first year wrestling but having all that judo behind him really helped him out. He was using it against me.”

Maughan got out to a 2-0 lead after the first period, but the foreign exchange student from Italy scored the next six points to take command. He nearly pinned Maughan after using a judo hip toss to get him to the floor.

“(I used) everything I had to just get out,” Maughan said. “(This title) means everything. It’s my senior year, so I set the goal right away. I had to take first for better seeding at state.”

Maughan escaped to earn two points, and scored the first three points of the third period to regain the lead with 1 minute, 20 seconds to go. His near fall as time expired gave him three points.

Pahrump had 11 wrestlers qualify for next Saturday’s state tournament in Primm to lead all schools. Seven Pahrump wrestlers appeared in the region finals, with four walking away victorious. Jace Clayton won the heavyweight region title for the second consecutive year by pinning Virgin Valley’s Hector Garcia. Stephen McCormick (145) and Abraham Preciado (182) also won titles for the Trojans.

“We had a great tournament,” Pahrump coach Craig Rieger said. “It’s a tough tournament to win, but I’m proud of the boys. They’ve worked hard. Every weight class, we were pretty solid. The boys really stepped up and had a good weekend.”

Lowry once again dominated the Northern Region, winning by 94.5 points. The Buckaroos, who have won the last five state titles, finished with 277.5 points. Churchill County (183) and Spring Creek (181) rounded out the top three.

Maughan said he’s champing at the bit for a rematch with a Lowry opponent, who he lost to in the state tournament last year at 160 pounds. Both now are wrestling at 170 pounds.

“I expect there to be good wrestling all around (at state),” Maughan said. “Everyone is tough, but I’m just really looking out for that Beau Billingsley if he’s there.”